William Brickell facts for kids
William Brickell (born around 1817, died 1908) was an important person in the history of Miami, Florida. He worked with Julia Tuttle to help create the city we know today.
Contents
William Brickell's Early Life
William Brickell was born in 1817. During the American Civil War, he lived in the White House with his wife, Mary. He worked as an assistant to President Abraham Lincoln during this time. William and Mary had met and married in Australia before moving to the United States.
Moving to Florida
In 1868, the Brickell family bought a large amount of land in Florida. This land stretched from an area called Coconut Grove all the way to the Miami River. They bought this land from Mrs. Harriet English and her brother, Richard Fitzpatrick. This land had originally been given to their family by the King of Spain many years before.
In 1871, William and his family moved from Cleveland, Ohio to southern Florida by ship. They opened a trading post and a post office in their home. Their home was located on the south side of the Miami River, near where Fort Dallas used to be. This trading post was a place where people could buy and sell goods, and the post office helped people send and receive mail.
Building Miami
The Brickells had a neighbor named Julia Tuttle, who was also from Cleveland. Julia Tuttle is famous for getting the attention of Henry Flagler, a very powerful businessman. Flagler owned a railroad and built many hotels along Florida's east coast.
Both William Brickell and Julia Tuttle gave land to Flagler's company, the Florida East Coast Railway. This was a big deal because the railroad brought many new people and businesses to the area. It helped Miami grow from a small settlement into a real city.
After William Brickell passed away, his wife, Mary Brickell, continued their work. She became a very important person in the young city. Mary helped develop and manage a lot of the land, shaping how Miami grew.
Where William Brickell is Buried
William and Mary Brickell were first buried on their own property in Miami. However, in 1946, their daughter Maud Brickell decided to move her parents' graves. They were reburied at Woodlawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, which is now called Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North Park Cemetery and Mausoleum.
